Lean Program Manager

000305 Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg is seeking a results-driven Lean/CI leader to drive operational excellence in its Massachusetts manufacturing operations. You will lead complex improvement projects from opportunity to sustainment, coaching teams and shaping daily management, standard work and visual controls.

Responsibilities include planning Kaizen events, value stream mappings, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain to deliver measurable, sustained impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations and Lean/CI.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects from problem identification through implementation and sustainment.
• Hands-on knowledge of Lean practices, Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, root-cause analysis, visual management, and Six Sigma/DMAIC.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and influencing skills to drive change across functions.
• Strong analytical and business acumen to prioritize opportunities using data.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean transformation initiatives across manufacturing operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and overall operational performance.
• Plan and facilitate Kaizen events, value stream improvements, and structured problem solving with measurable, sustainable results.
• Own high-impact improvement projects from opportunity identification through implementation with KPIs, financial impact, and sustainment plans.
• Partner across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other functions to solve complex operational challenges and influence change without direct authority.
• Strengthen operational discipline through Lean practices including daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement systems.
• Build Lean capability by coaching leaders and employees, delivering training, and creating accountability for continuous improvement.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Project leadership

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Facilitation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Supply Chain, or related field

Tools

Kaizen methodology

Value stream mapping

5S

Root-cause analysis

Six Sigma/DMAIC

Visual management

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world!

• Lead Lean transformation initiatives across manufacturing operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and overall operational performance.
• Plan and facilitate Kaizen events, value stream improvements, and structured problem-solving activities that deliver measurable and sustainable results.
• Own high-impact improvement projects from opportunity identification through implementation, establishing clear objectives, timelines, KPIs, financial impact, and sustainment plans.
• Partner across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other functions to solve complex operational challenges and influence change without direct authority.
• Strengthen operational discipline through Lean practices including daily management, standard work, visual management, 5S, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement systems.
• Build Lean capability throughout the organization by coaching leaders and employees, delivering training, and creating accountability and ownership for continuous improvement.
• Develop toward future operations leadership opportunities through hands-on exposure to plant performance, cross-functional decision-making, business priorities, and strategic operational initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, Lean, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Engineering, or a related discipline, with demonstrated measurable results.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects from problem identification through implementation, measurement, and long-term sustainment.
• Hands-on knowledge of Lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving methods such as Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, root-cause analysis, visual management, and Six Sigma/DMAIC.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and influencing skills with the ability to engage production teams, technical functions, and business leaders and drive change without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and business acumen with the ability to use operational and financial data to prioritize opportunities, quantify impact, and communicate results.
• Demonstrated learning agility, leadership potential, and career ambition to grow beyond Lean/Continuous Improvement into broader manufacturing and operations leadership roles.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion.

Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership Welcome to Freudenberg Without Freudenberg, indoor air would not be as clean, cars would not drive and wounds would not heal as quickly. And these are just three examples from thousands of our applications. Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 51,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.